Methods and devices for providing oxygenated blood distal to an obstruction

Abstract

The catheter is positioned within an obstruction so that the distal end is positioned distal to the obstruction and proximal openings are positioned proximal to the obstruction. Blood enters the proximal openings and passes through the lumen to the distal end to perfuse blood distal to the obstruction.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method of providing oxygenated blood distal to an obstruction, comprising the steps of:
 providing a catheter having an elongate body and a lumen extending therethrough to a distal end of the body, the elongate body also having a plurality of openings in the body proximal of the distal end, the body having a braided reinforcement with the plurality of openings being positioned in interstitial spaces of the braided reinforcement, the body having 30-100 openings positioned 3-10 cm from the distal end each being positioned in the interstitial spaces of the braided reinforcement, the openings having a maximum dimension of 0.010-0.020 inch and being spaced along a length of 2-4 cm along the elongate body; and   positioning the catheter within an obstruction so that the distal end is distal to the obstruction and the plurality of openings are positioned proximal to the obstruction thereby permitting blood flow through the catheter between the distal end and the openings.